The Gracious Two - LIVE Show 025 - Brandon Valentine

Central PA Music Hall of Fame, Digital Dating, Trademark Issues:
The Gracious Two, Chad Gracey and John Rotolo ( JRo or Mr. GoodTimes ) discussed the work of the Central Pennsylvania Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization in the educational sector, providing awards and scholarships and it's founder Brandon Valentine. Their conversation also touched on the challenges of dating and meeting new people in the digital age, and the need to experience things in person. Chad shared his experiences with a heavy makeup-wearing woman he was dating and the guys discussed not liking the use of filters on pictures. They also talked about a trademark issue with Chad's former guitar player, Chad Taylor, concerning the term "The Gracious Few" and the recent activities of musician Dave Grohl.

Managerial Roles in Band Operations:
Chad and JRo discussed the role of a manager in a band's operations, agreeing that they should handle the business side of conversations while avoiding interference in the music creation process. They emphasized the importance of band chemistry, stating that the magic often happens when they are together in the room. They shared personal experiences, with Chad mentioning he had long hair in the nineties. The conversation ended with them discussing the idea of having a manager to help guide decision-making. Brandon Valentine, the president and founding member of the Central Pennsylvania Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, joined the conversation, highlighting the hall's nonprofit status and its focus on education and scholarships and not just awards.

Music Industry Dynamics and Central PA Music Hall of Fame:
Chad Gracey, John Rotolo and Brandon Valentine discussed the unique dynamics of a successful band in the music industry, with a particular focus on a prominent artist's impact. The conversation then shifted to the management of the band, with Chad expressing concerns about the effectiveness of the manager, Chris Harding. Brandon joined the discussion later, talking about the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization he is involved in. The organization's mission is to recognize, support, and grow the local music scene in Central Pennsylvania, defined as the area from the New York border to the Maryland border, excluding Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Despite Covid-19 challenges, the organization has experienced growth and has been involved in music education activities for young people. Prominent musicians from the region, such as LiVe, Poison with Brett Michaels, Fuel, and Taylor Swift, were also mentioned.

Music Camps and Covid-19 Adaptations:
Brandon Valentine discussed the benefits of music camps, particularly the simplicity of the ukulele, which he suggested could be an easy instrument for young children to learn. He shared about the inception of their organization in mid-2019 and their first ceremony in January 2020, which was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. In response, they improvised by creating a quarantine live stream on social media networks to support local musicians. Brandon emphasized their mission to support the local music scene, noting that they have expanded their hall of fame and are considering offering a state-of-the-art studio for artists. The conversation also touched on the changing landscape of the music industry, with social media playing a more prominent role.

Music Industry Reflections and Future Uncertainties:
JRo, Brandon, and Chad reflected on the music industry, focusing on past decades' music artists and bands. They shared personal experiences of buying albums and the thrill of attending concerts. They discussed the upcoming summer music festival and the performances of bands The Ocean Blue and The Sharks. They also reminisced about the past, when bands could fund their tours by selling merchandise like CDs. They talked about the changes in the music industry, particularly concerning revenue streams for upcoming bands, and the shift from music videos on MTV to online platforms like YouTube. They also touched upon the decentralization of content and the potential resurgence of CDs due to a nostalgic trend. The conversation concluded with a note of uncertainty about the future of physical media.

LiVe's Early Career Challenges in Music Industry:
Chad, John and Brandon discussed the challenges and experiences of LiVe's early career in the music industry. They reminisced about the influence of hair metal bands, the difficulties of getting gigs as a non-hair metal band, and the gradual build-up of LiVe's fan base. They also talked about LiVe's early performances at The Chameleon in Lancaster and The Metron in Harrisburg. Chad Gracey mentioned a few cover songs they used to play, including "I'll Stop the World (and Melt with You)". The conversation ended with Chad emphasizing their desire to be different and unique in their music style.

Performances, Dialogue, and Music Hall of Fame Opening:
Chad shared about LiVe's authenticity in performances and the exhaustion they felt from a long tour. John showed interest in maintaining an open dialogue with their guests and the possibility of having Brandon on the show again. Brandon announced the opening of the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame's physical location in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with a grand opening scheduled for March 8th. Brandon also mentioned an upcoming ceremony on March 28th featuring the headlining act, Fuel. The conversation ended with Chad suggesting a future podcast recording from the facility.